A Somali national has been jailed on the charges of multiple connections to Al-Shabaab terror counts and recruitment.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Somali national Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan, alias Ali, was sentenced on April 27 by the Kahawa magistrates’ court.
His sentencing followed the presentation of four witnesses to the case by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
“A Somali national has been jailed for being a member of a terrorist group, Al-Shabaab. Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan, alias Ali, was sentenced today by the Kahawa magistrates’ court after the DPP presented four witnesses in court,” a statement from the ODPP read.
Further, the court sentenced Hassanow to serve 10 years’ imprisonment for being a member of Al-Shabaab.
In addition, Hassanow will serve for an additional 10 years for supporting the terrorist group and organizing meetings for the group.
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Hassanow will also serve an additional 10-year jail term for the offense of radicalization, 10 years for recruiting members to join the terrorist group, and an additional 10 years for facilitating the recruitment of members of a terrorist group.
The court also ordered that Hassaow serve an additional 10 years for financing travel intended for terrorism purposes.
However, Honorable Boaz Ombewa ordered that Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan serve the sentence concurrently.
Charges Against the Somali National Hassanow
Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan was identified as the member of the Al-Shabaab on or before April 2 2024. He was residing in Kehancha Township, Kehancha Sub-County, within Migori County, according to the court.
According to the Kahawa magistrate court, Hassanow’s involvement with the Al-Shabaab was unlawful and contrary to the Gazette Notice number 12585 of 2010.
Additionally, the Somali national was actively involved in organizing and supporting the terrorist activities of the Al-Shabaab.
Luring minors with promises of financial gains, military training, and religious rewards, Hassanow recruited and facilitated minors’ travel from Migori County to Somalia to join the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
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The court noted that Hassanow provided logistic guidance, travel routes, and financial support to unsuspecting minors for successful recruitment to the terrorist group.
A witness, Kennedy Amwayi, argued that the accused played a central role in influencing and preparing minors for active engagement in terrorist activities.
“I make a finding that the prosecution established a troubling narrative of facilitation, ideological, and preparation, and did prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was the author, financier, recruiter, or radicalizer as charged in all counts. Having meticulously analyzed each count, the applicable statutory provisions, and the evidence tendered by both the prosecution and the defense, this court concludes that the accused is guilty as charged,” ruled Boaz Ombewa on April 27.
The court’s review of the evidence provided by the witnesses found that the witnesses’ testimonies were credible and established a clear pattern of ideological indoctrination, planning, and facilitation.
Following the evidence presented before the Kahawa magistrate court, Abdikarim Hassanow Hassan was found guilty on all charges against him.
